Fresno County is on track to see a controversial road tax on the ballot later this year.
Page F6From§Eachthe early evening edition — 1 September 2026
California drivers could bankroll Newsom’s security after he leaves office as county faces tax hell on ballot
California county faces a major tax challenge as a Newsom-signed law forces the issue onto the ballot (13). At the same time, California drivers could be tapped to bankroll Gavin Newsom’s security after he leaves office, under a $20 million budget carveout (36). The ledger shows a forced expense, a budget carveout, and the bill landing on drivers. The gap is $20 million, filled by folks who pay at the pump or register. The county’s tax hell is both a question and an answer—voters are asked to decide, but the bill is already written. The security carveout for Newsom is not a line item for the former governor, but a recurring expense for everyone else. The reconciliation is the ledger; the gap is the person who pays. Hon, if you’re driving in California, check the budget line under 'security'—it’s got your license plate on it.
“The governor gets a $20 million security carveout, and the county faces ballot-driven tax hell. The folks driving to work end up footing the bill for the guy who doesn't need to worry about carjackers anymore.”
“Security for former officials is a necessary expense, and sometimes the budget requires adjustments—like carving out $20 million from drivers. As for the county's tax issues, that's just responsible governance—wait, did I say that? Maybe it's just a ballot thing.”
The receipts
The money would specifically provide California Highway Patrol officers to serve as the personal security for current or former elected officials and their families.
This page is a back-issue: the story as it ran, receipts as they were. The current edition is at the front.